Is Byzantines good against Malians?

Byzantines wins 54.5% of 3,461 ranked games against Malians (Byzantines is favored).

How do I beat Malians as Byzantines?

Hit the Pit Mine and the houses around it, that's the gold engine Raid the cattle and Ranches; cattle are slow and Ranches are wood Against Sofa and Archers: Spearmen and Crossbows

When does Malians attack?

4:55 — Feudal: Stable and Sofa raids, or Donso and Javelins · 10:30 — 20 Sofa and 12 Archers with upgrades at 10:30 · 12:15 — Castle: lots of Archers and Sofa, raiding and expanding

Byzantines vs Malians: how to win the matchup

Playing Byzantines against Malians, you win 54.5% of ranked 1v1 games (3,461 games). Here is how to beat Malians, what they do and when.

Byzantines is favoredByzantines guide Malians guide Malians vs Byzantines

Win rate by rank

silver
49.6%
262
gold
55.5%
1,106
platinum
55.5%
989
diamond
55.9%
616
conqueror
51.6%
324

How to beat Malians

Hit the Pit Mine and the houses around it, that's the gold engine
Raid the cattle and Ranches; cattle are slow and Ranches are wood
Against Sofa and Archers: Spearmen and Crossbows
Against Javelins: Horsemen and Knights. Against Musofadi: Archers
Scout: second Pit Mine, Stable count, Mills making cattle, second TC

Units that work against Malians: Spearmen · Crossbowmen · Horsemen · Knights · Archers

When Malians hits

4:55Feudal: Stable and Sofa raids, or Donso and Javelins
10:3020 Sofa and 12 Archers with upgrades at 10:30
12:15Castle: lots of Archers and Sofa, raiding and expanding

Byzantines strengths to lean on

Cisterns speed up gathering, production and upgrades
Varied mercenaries: Longbows, Javelins, Keshik and Ghulams
Golden Horn Tower produces free mercenaries
Strong Cataphracts in Castle and cheap Varangian Men-at-Arms
Strong defense: Mangonels on Outposts, Keeps and walls

Byzantines weaknesses Malians can punish

Stone-heavy opening that is weak against early rushes
Oil and Cataphracts were nerfed in June 2026
Lowest win rate at Conqueror
Hard to sustain mercenary production

Strongest Castle Age armies (simulator)

Byzantines: Veteran Musofadi Warrior (0.67)
Malians: Veteran Mansa Musofadi Warrior (0.53)

FAQ

Is Byzantines good against Malians?: Byzantines wins 54.5% of 3,461 ranked games against Malians (Byzantines is favored).
How do I beat Malians as Byzantines?: Hit the Pit Mine and the houses around it, that's the gold engine Raid the cattle and Ranches; cattle are slow and Ranches are wood Against Sofa and Archers: Spearmen and Crossbows
When does Malians attack?: 4:55 — Feudal: Stable and Sofa raids, or Donso and Javelins · 10:30 — 20 Sofa and 12 Archers with upgrades at 10:30 · 12:15 — Castle: lots of Archers and Sofa, raiding and expanding

Data from the open game data (aoe4world/data), patch 16.2.10884, public ranked statistics, and Layla Coach's battle simulator. Layla Coach is an independent tool, not affiliated with Microsoft, Relic Entertainment or World's Edge.